Victoria

Guys, thanks so much for the continued replies!! But to reiterate, the scratch is NOT visible in the photo -- it hadn't happened yet. I put this watch briefly into a bag containing two diamond rings and a gold ring (all of which are in my Wrist-check) directly after shooting the Wrist-shot seen above. And it's not a gash. It's a TINY scratch, which I'm embarrassed I feel so badly about, but there you are. I just came back from my watchmaker, and he tested it -- real sapphire crystal. When I showed him the ring, he said, yes it's possible that's what happened. Didn't mention the stone because I hadn't read that post, although it could've been the reason too, I'm now wondering. He said one can replace the sapphire crystal with another, but I demurred at the price. Not quite at the modding stage yet. I even turned down very kind assistance on another matter from a member. I just don't like my watches out of my sight (yet).

No, what happened was that the moment I had finished shooting this watch for the Wristies, I put it into the small felt case I received from Narikaa. Inside that was the diamond ring. TO MY UTTER HORROR JUST NOW, I realised I had briefly placed the DSN PAM 112 inside that same pouch. I had already logged off now, but I ran like Jesse Owens to my watch case -- Davidsen PAM not scratched. Heilige Maria, Mutter von Jesus...! Whew, guys, I have step back from this hobby, maybe. This is madness. Imagine if I lose a watch?? I would commit ritual seppukku! Well, at least some good came out of the wrist-shot.

Thanks, Cranium, for your consolation and information. I officially hate this ring. Yuck. (Dings add character to a PAM. I am learning to live with one or two I have made. But scratches on watch crystals just look awful, IMHO. Ah well...licking my wounds just now, but I shall be fine soon. Thanks again)

THAT'S IT! Do you see my first wrist-shot in that thread? Those are real diamonds. I STUPIDLY, stupidly just remembered that I put the PAM in the same "case" as the diamond ring -- since I brought down 3 different ring changes, to mix things up a bit for you guys visually. God what a BERK. Pride cometh before a fall. Vain, vain woman... Thanks, Hyster. (I'm guessing there is no fix, unless it's total replacement, yes?)

I am posting this on the Gen Discussion part, rather than just the Panerai part, to get more info. When I shot this photo for my wrist-check: To my horror, I must've scratched the sapphire crystal of the PAM 111h from Andrew. Top left corner, near the 10. Tiny scratch. Thing of it is, it REALLY is sapphire not mineral glass, or "synthetic sapphire". Water bead test and sound test (hard sound when tapping, rather than the hollow plasticky sound of mineral glass) absolutely confirms it. How on earth then, could a sapphire crystal scratch, since I always thought it was nearly impossible to do so? Is it visible? To me, yes, and therefore very frustrating. I don't plan on selling any of my watches, so that's not a consideration. I just genuinely want to know if one can scratch sapphire crystal?? Can I fix this, short of replacing the crystal? TIA. *sad*

That's the first thing I wondered, throughout the film -- what watch is it! I even saw someone posting on that in a film forum. It's as Maciek above said, the IWC Porto in white. As for the film itself, my impressions: http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?s=&amp...st&p=298709 I was not so high on it. It's enjoyable, instantly forgettable, and nothing more.

Yes, sorry about that, Raymond. When I saw your strap, which is not bad, I thought to myself -- he's not going to be satisfied after he compares that one to mine or takes another look at DuDro's. It's just very different, even taking into account that mine is second-hand. However, I have seen BRAND NEW calf tan OEM straps, and there is not much difference in colour. Yes, in one of the three watches he sent me, I got those calf tan straps for the Fiddy AND PAM 112. I wasn't impressed, Raymond. They are MUCH better than your average rep strap, but NO WHERE near as nice as OEM calf tan. Quite simply, no. And his calf tans vary in colour, to boot. I received one which was very light tan, then another closer to the photo you show above. I wish I could show you them, but I sent them back for black ones... Taper means narrowing -- like when you have a 24mm strap at the lug, but the buckle is smaller (say, 22mm). There are variations, like 26/24, or 27/22 for Radiomirs. The one he is offering you must be 24/24, not 24/22. OEM calf tans you receive in your pearwood PAM box are 115/75, 24/22 by default, so that non-tapering would be an immediate tell. Apart from hide considerations, visually it means that calf is smooth, and buffalo has "grain", like the brown you see above in photo #1. Last I heard from DSN, he told me he had only the buffalo ones available (in black). Maybe he's gotten a shipment of tans. Bottom line is, I would not buy the strap unless he were offering it to you for free, or basically free. If you go to the Hong Kong Panerai boutique, you will see all their OEM straps, and the difference is VERY palpable -- starting with the "smell" of genuine leather which DSN's doesn't have. If you need further info, just ask! Good luck. EDIT: IF you absolutely must go with DSN's, then at least ask for the tan you see in photo #1. It is closest. But make sure you mention to him you want a deep tan, not a light tan, that he sometimes gives out. EDIT #2: Just checked your white-stitch versus mine, DuDro's, and the DSN model. Though OEM calf tans are not the end-all, be-all of straps, you do see a lot more attention to detail than in your white-stitch. The markings inside yours are different. And the stitches are not the same. This is particularly evident in the stitches nearer the lugs. Both DuDro's and mine have a slight up-down pattern, whereas yours and DSN's above are straight stitches. And of course, the leather in our OEMs is just darker than yours, and DSN's. The overall finishing is also not as good. Basically, what I am trying to say is, bite the bullet, go for an OEM. Check out Risti's Accessories site for affordable ones. I wouldn't pay more than USD75-85 for an OEM calf tan in 98% condition. Note that there is one at the moment going for almost USD200! Crazy. That's boutique prices. These tans come up ALL the time, but if you're like me, you want it yesterday.

Sure! L'etat c'est moi was not just Louis XIV you know. It permeates all levels of French elitism. Ooh, I remember a particularly brain-dead programme when I was a kid: "H

LOL! That was awesome. But Les Guignols are a rip off of Spitting Image! Brief, but oh so funny. @Ryyannon followup "Wonder Chirac, dites Super Liar": LMAO! "Ultra Menteur, mon h

I was hoping there were ENOUGH French-speakers to be able to comment, but you may be right. EDIT: Did you have a particular fave amongst the ones I posted? Still, I'm hoping for a Stephane, Pix, Navigater, Usil, and others to chime in. Maybe Puggy remembers her too. Plus, this is a springboard post to get us to talking about comedy shows, duh! In Living Colour, anyone?

My TWP PAM 217 (My favourite. An amazing looking watch. Works like a charm. Touch wood) My TWP PAM 183 My TWP 190 My TWP PAM 210 I've also bought an Bunnymariner LV from him, and I have a modded PAM 005 coming soon. Let's just say, I highly recommend TWP, especially given his rededication to being a stellar merchant. His responsiveness to any problem is professional and swift. From what I've seen, he's doing amazing work modding the PAMs, particularly. He's just a great guy.

(Erm, if you don't know of her already, of course!) Florence Foresti is that rarest of modern comics on television -- a skit or sketch artist of the finest calibre, analogous to perhaps French & Saunders in the UK, or Carol Burnett in the US. Her many recurring personalities include: Lady Zbouba: the hyperactive, no airs and graces product of the immigrant banlieues. Cl

Why thank you, Apey. I have to admit, almost every Risti shot of a woman wearing a PAM, seems to be that of a PAM 113 on a light-coloured strap (pink, baby blue, white). At first, I was like nhuh-nhuh, but yeah, I bought a Don pink croc strap last week. It's on its way.

POLL UNOFFICIALLY CLOSED, 8 PM EDT! (Keep voting if you wish) Results as follow: Strap Culture's Skull-n-Swords [ 14 ] ** [38.89%] Gregoire Texier's Anchor [ 10 ] ** [27.78%] Other (Reply below) [ 12 ] ** [33.33%] So Strap Culture Skull-n-Swords win! Please note though, that the Returning Officer is a Floridian, and thus there may be pregnant chads.

Promises, promises.

FRIDAY Today I offer you a megapost of Wristies! Are you ready? Let's start off with my brand new PAM metal bracelet from Davidsen!! Mmm, luscious. Unfortunately installing this puppy was like giving birth to one -- slow and painful. But once Subzero1 gave me the hint about the pliers, bending the "wings" 30 degrees, and the secret Davidsen handshake, it was on like THAT. A closeup of the metal bracelet deployant. I fitted the bracelet unto one of my two Andrew PAM 111hs. I had also changed the CG to a polished E-series looking one, so this baby really SHINES. Thanks for the CG, Taiji! SATURDAY I'm tired of looking either pale or red-blotchy in Wristies, so I am going to the pool to get a tan! This is my Top Gear: Video iPod, Anthelios XL SPF 60 (which every hot chick uses in St. Barths), a blood-red Starbucks frap mug, and my DSN PAM 112 with Toscana Siena carbon strap. AND BREATHE. Nice carbon strap, BTW. Soft, and made of leather inside. Right, Stephane? Johnny Cash, or Arctic Monkeys? Toughie. SUNDAY Gotta a fancy do Sunday, so I'm lugging out the Louis Vuitton B.A. face-watch. I bought this 7 years ago, just when B.A. watches were starting to make waves...and the trend shows no sign of dissipating. Trademarked cut-out strap shot. Sooooft LV strap. EXTRA Raymond/RCHK asked Paneristi for OEM calf tan shots, so here you go, bubeleh -- your OEM calf tan deployant strap with gold stitching on my Andrew PAM 113. I think it looks fantastic. Will post separately with more shots, as I feel people's eyeballs glazing over.

OMG. I have to get an LED torch/flash light stat! Only thing is, I don't go to Home Depot or Ace, etc. Will your normal local US supermarket carry them? @Kollektor: THANKS! I will try that out and buy it on *bay. For those interested, here is the torch you can buy: Streamlight PROPOLYMER

Maciek's post on his Egyptian hols had an odd effect on me. I now want his girlfriend's white Seatimer AND his Cousteau Diver. But now that Pix posted the IWC Porto in RG, I want that too. Basically, I've come to the conclusion that I'm impressionable. And I just like watches.

It could well be the reason he likes watches as we do, then. I share your impression about TWP, Dangerman. Glad someone other than I posted it (since I'm his customer). Conversely, I once asked a similar question in another thread: Don't you wonder what watch Andrew, Joshua, Paul, Jay, Ruby, Angus and the rest wear? Which one do they most favour? Do they have a rotation? Do their wives look like a million dollars, with all that access to Rolexes, Cartiers, and Chanels? How about their kids? However, since these are a sensitive, personal questions, I would never of actually asking them that -- I just admit I'm curious to know. I was almost a sex phone operator, does that count?

Have to go to the bank, run some errands, then go downstairs to the pool and "pose" the watches in new and interesting posishes! I always try a little something special for the Weekend Wrist-checks, but I fear, this week was very special photography-wise for me, and it'll be a tough act to follow. You are just going to sleep no, Raymond? Ah well. When you wake up, they'll be there! Promise.

Keep it! I like it. It's a bit rough, but it adds a certain grace to the macho Fiddy (well, it looks macho on you). The stitching is what does it. @Raymond: YAY! I'm so happy for you. When strapaholics pounce on that perfect strap, it's magic. Will post mine anyway. Later, have stuff to do, alas. @Jiro: Your rocker emoticons made me ROTFLMAO. @Wilith: Where did you get that Diver! Really unusual.

Hey Aleksandra. @Shura: Yes. ...but most of my male Russian friends choose Sasha, over Shura! I was really hoping you were a girl too, because I've often seen you "around" on RWG, without posting. Ah well. Still me and Rima.

Yes, and yes. Eh. Would be interested for my boyfriend. For me, the Big Pilot 3717 which Defacto also mentioned.

Signs I am still a newbie: Until now, I wasn't interested in my watches keeping accurate time. I just wanted them to look good. But as I become more and more detail-oriented, I want them to be accurate MECHANISMS, as well. So far, having used a COSC guide I found, I have timed my DSN Fiddy, and it loses less than 5 seconds per day! I'd call that pretty good. Also, I upped my nightly wind from 30 winds, to 60 winds, and the power reserve on the Fiddy is 48 hours and counting. Awesome. How is that versus yours?

I like Anna Kournikova! ...helps that when I was a sports photog intern, I used to photograph her at the Lipton/Ericsson/Nasdaq-100 in Key Biscayne, and she was very nice. I was very very slim then, but she was half me! Very worrisome. Sadly. Exactly the case, I fear. I think many Russians realise that they may well be living in a "window" of time where these goodies are possible. Although when you let the genie of consumerism out, it's really hard to put back in... Remember all those stories of Russians offering foreigners 500 U$ for their jeans, at the height of the Cold War? It was true. My parents lived it. Group-think is awful, even if for foreigners out of their element, it's understandable. I grew up with "Sloanes" and the green wellie crowd in the UK. What foreigners see is that set's love of the good life, and being able to afford all that; consequently, they merely digest the "money" part -- not the heritage part. It's the heritage, and that natural British restraint that will take some time for them to acquire. Hopefully, one day. I can't talk about anything being paid for daddy. But having said that, it's better than being suppported by taxes from strangers. If you can take care of your own, you should. That's why you made the money in the first place, IMHO. GASP. That's horrifying. I'm so sorry, Chronus! I know it may not seem like much to some, but this is a complete lack of innate goodness which she has transformed her values system into the highest bidder. It's one thing to trade your time or skill for payment. That's called a job. But not friends, or alleged friends. That's wrong... Small anecdote, as these last posts become ever more OT: One Cuban-American boyfriend's family arrived in 1962 in Miami. Not a penny to their names, and no English. In time, they became restauranteurs, and extremely well-regarded in the community. When the Cold War ended, Cubans started hitting to the seas again in rafts, and there came his cousin on a raft -- who of course, they immediately put to work in their restaurant. He was a waiter, but they had plans for him to run one restaurant or two, one day, naturally. Until one Christmas, when my then boyfriend gave him a pair of custom-tailored Italian shoes, especially bought for him in Rome. A few months later, when he noticed his cousin was no longer wearing it, he inquired about them, jokingly. "Oh, I sold that to Fulanito for $200." "What? You're kidding. They were 10x that much and I gave it to you as a Christmas present!" "So, they were a present weren't they? I can do whatever I want with it, so don't bust my balls about it!" Somewhere along the line, his value system had been corrupted, because that's what you do to survive in Cuba today. You sell anything and everything, including yourself. Eventually, he was caught stealing money from his relatives. I don't know what happened because we broke up... We can be poor together. We might have better watches than she does, at that! Because life is hard for them, and possibly they might have bad genes to begin with. *g* Seriously, my grandmother always told me to never get emotional about a boy, until I had met his parents. "You'll see what he'll turn into twenty years hence." She was always right, my Omi. Being with a Canadian guy right now, I can totally relate. They're so sweet, it's heart-melting.